Adjustable holding device

ABSTRACT

An adjustable holding device having a pair of adjustment drill grooves and a transverse exhaust channel. Attached to the base is a vertical support member having guide supports. At least one of the guide supports is horizontally adjustable. Drill guides are removably attached to the guide support for both vertical and horizontal adjustment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit to Provisional Application U.S. Ser.No. 62/423,970 filed on Nov. 18, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an adjustable holding device and moreparticularly to a holding device for drilling holes in an object.

Drill guides and pocket hole jigs are well-known in the art for use indrilling holes for pocket hole joinery. An important feature of thesedevices is the ability to accommodate work pieces of varying size. Whiledevices are known that are adjustable, these devices are adjustable in asingle direction and do not permit set-up of drilling guides atdifferent widths and heights. In addition, chip or shaving extraction isset-up at the rear of the guides and as a result wood chips aredischarged onto the floor creating a mess. Also while devices exist forsetting the depth of a drill bit, the devices are complicated anddifficult to use. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device thataddresses these deficiencies.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustableholding device where the height and width of drill guides areselectively adjusted.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustableholding device where shaving and chip extraction is not discharged ontothe floor.

A still further objective of the present invention is to provide anadjustable holding device where setting drill depth is simple and easy.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one skilled in the artbased upon the following written description, drawings and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable holding device having a base, a vertical support member,and a clamping assembly. The base has a top and side walls. A pair ofdrill adjustment grooves extend downwardly along the side walls at theouter edges of the top of the base. The grooves have a cut-out portionthat slidable receives an adjustment member.

Extending transversely across the base is an exhaust channel. Theexhaust channel has a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a pair of exhaust ports that extend through the side walls ofthe base.

Connected to, or integral with, an end of the base is a vertical supportmember. The vertical support member has a pair of guide supports. Atleast one of the guide supports is slidably connected to a verticalsupport wall to permit adjustment of both the height and width of drillguides in multiple directions.

Alternatively, drill guide members are adjustably mounted to a guidesupport bracket. The bracket has a top wall and a pair of side walls. Atone end of the bracket, extending down a side wall is a vertical groove.Moveably received within the groove is a slider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an adjustable holding member;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable holding member;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section of a side view of an adjustable holdingdevice;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adjustable holding member;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an adjustable holding member;

FIG. 6 is an end view of an adjustable holding device;

FIG. 7 is an end view and perspective view of a drill guide member; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustable holding member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, an adjustable holding device 10 has a base 12,a clamp assembly 14, and a guide assembly 16. The base 12 is of anysize, shape, and structure. In one example, the base 12 is generallyrectangular in shape having a top 18, a bottom 20, side walls 22, afirst end 24 and a second end 26. Extending through the base 12, fromthe top 18 to the bottom 20 are a plurality of connecting bores 28 thatreceive screws to attach the device 10 to a work surface.

Extending upwardly from the top 18 of the base 12 adjacent the first end24 is a platform 30 to which the clamping assembly 14 is attached. Atthe outer edges 32 of the top 18, and extending down the sides 22, are apair of drill adjustment grooves 34. The grooves 34 are formed toreceive a drill bit 36. The groove 34 preferably has a reduced section38 to receive the tip 40 of the drill bit 36 with a larger elongatedsection 42 that receives the body 44 and the head 46 of the drill bit36. Between the tip 40 and the head 46, the groove 34 has a cut-outportion 48 that extends inwardly and downwardly to form a shelf 50.Extending through the shelf 50 is an elongated slot 52. Slidablyattached to the slot 52 is an adjustment member 54. The adjustmentmember 54 is of any size and shape and in one example has a firstsection 56 that includes a pair of sidewalls 58 and a bottom wall 60that extend outwardly from a back wall 62 to form a receiving chamber orslot 64. The receiving chamber 64 is formed to receive an adjustabledepth collar 66 of the drill bit 36. Extending from the bottom wall 62of first section 56 and through slot 52 of shelf 50 is a neck 68 that isslidably received within slot 52. Neck 68 terminates in a retaining head70 having a width greater than the width of the slot 52 to retain theadjustment member 54 within slot 52.

In a preferred embodiment the sidewall 22 of the base 12 have distancemarkings 71 that align with notches 72 in the side walls 22 that extenddownwardly from the shelf 50. A projection 74 extends downwardly from anouter edge 76 of the bottom wall 60 of the adjustment member 54 that ispositioned to be selectively received within notches 72. Preferably, thegrooves 34 and/or the cut-out portion 48 are off-set to permit differentdepth adjustment distances for the adjustable depth collar 66. Forexample, one side the cut-out portion 48 is further away from the firstend 24 and has distance markings 71 representing a drill bit 36 depth of½, ¾, 1¼, and 1½ inches. On the opposite side of the base 12 the cut-outportion 48 is closer to the first end 24 and has distance markings 71 of⅝, ⅞, 1, 1⅛, and 1⅜ inches.

The second end 26 of the base 12 preferably has a cut-down section 78that includes a clamp cut-out portion 80 that is formed to receive aclamping portion of a table clamp (not shown) or the like. Adjacent theclamp cut-out portion 80 is an exhaust channel 82 that extendstransversely across the base 12 between the side walls 22. Preferably,the channel 82 has a bottom wall 84 between a first wall 86, a secondwall 88, and a pair of exhaust ports 90 in side walls 22 that are incommunication with channel 82. The bottom wall 84 has a pair of sections92 that angle downwardly from an apex 94 to the exhaust ports 90.Preferably the apex 94 is generally centered between sidewalls 22.Second wall 88 has a plurality of outwardly extending projections 96that form at least three slots 98.

Connected to the second end 26 of the base 12 is a vertical supportmember 100. Alternatively, the vertical support member 100 is integralwith the base 12. The vertical support member 100 is of any size, shapeand structure. In a preferred example the vertical member 100 is formedto nest within the clamp cut-out portion 80 and rest on the cut-downsection 78 adjacent the exhaust channel 82. The vertical support member100 has a clamp cut-out portion 102 that nests within the clamp cut-outportion 80 of the base 12, a bottom wall 104, side walls 106, and avertical support wall 108. The clamp cut-out portion 102 extends abovethe bottom wall 104 and terminates in a shelf 110. The bottom wall 104rests upon the top 18 of the cut-down section 78 of the base 12. Theside walls 106 extend vertically and dwell in the same vertical plane asthe side walls 22 of the base 12. Both side walls 106 have a top edge112 that angles upwardly from the shelf 110 at the second end 26 towarda top edge 114 of the vertical support wall 108.

The vertical support wall 108 extends vertically from the bottom 104 tothe top edge 114 and dwells generally in the same vertical plane as thefirst wall 86 of the exhaust channel 82. The vertical support wall 108has an opening 116 between the top edge 114, a first side edge 120, asecond side edge 122, and a bottom edge 118. Extending inwardly from thefirst side edge 120 is a first guide support 124. The first guidesupport 124 has a clamping face 126 that faces the clamp assembly 14.Vertically aligned in parallel spaced relation are a plurality ofhorizontal projections 128 that extend outwardly from the clamping face126 to form a vertical track 130. Extending through at least a portionof the vertical track 130 of the vertical support wall 108 is a verticalslot 132. Slidably received within the vertical slot 132 is a retainingmember 134. The retaining member 134 is of any size, shape, structure,and type and in a preferred example has a head 136 similar to a wing nutthat is wider than slot 132, a neck 138 that is more narrow than slot132, and a catch 140. The catch 140 is elongated such that in a firstposition the catch 140 will fit through slot 132 and in a secondposition the catch 140 is too wide to fit through slot 132.

Slidably connected within the opening 116 of the vertical support wall108 is a second guide support 142. Like the first guide support 124, thesecond guide support 142 has a vertical track 130, a vertical slot 132,and a retaining member 134. The second guide support 142 also has anopening 144 below the track 130 that is either threaded or formed toreceive a nut 146. On the top 148 and the bottom 150 of the second guidesupport are grooves 152 and 154 that are formed to receive a top rail156 and a bottom rail 158. The top rail 156 extends downwardly from atop edge 160 of opening 116 and the bottom rail 158 extends upwardlyfrom a bottom edge 162 of opening 116. Preferably, the bottom rail 158is angled downwardly toward exhaust channel 82. The second guide support142 is moveable within opening 116 toward and away from second side edge122. To lock the position of the second guide support 142 a screw 164 isinserted into thread opening or nut 144 and tightened. Once tightened aforce between a head of the screw 164 and the second guide member 142 iscreated against the bottom rail 158 sufficient to prevent the secondguide member 142 to move laterally.

Adjustably connected to the first guide support 124 and the second guidesupport 142 are guide members 166. Each guide member 166 has anelongated body 168 having a top 170, a bottom 172, sides 174, a front176, and a back 178. The top 170 is angled upwardly from the back 178 tothe front 176. Extending from the top 170 to the front 176 at an angleis an elongated drilling bore 180. Received within the bore 180 is adrill insert 182 that preferably is made of metal. The bore 180terminates at a hollow chamber 184 within body 168. The chamber 184 hasan opening 186 on the front 176 that permits the drill bit 36 to beinserted through both bore 180 and opening 186 to engage and drill ahole within an object such as a piece of wood or the like. The chamber184 also has an opening 187 that extends through bottom 172. The back178 has a plurality of horizontal slots 188 in spaced parallel relationthat are positioned to selectively align with and receive theprojections 128 of track 130. Extending through the back 178 and aportion of the horizontal slots 188 to the chamber 184 is a retainingslot 190. Retaining slot 190 is positioned to align with slot 132 andselectively receive the catch 140 of retaining member 134. At least oneside 174 has distance markings 191 that are vertically spaced and extenddownwardly from top 170.

Clamp assembly 14 is of any size, shape, type and structure. In theexample shown, the clamp assembly 14 has a mounting bracket 192connected to platform 30 of base 12. Pivotally connected to the mountingbracket 192 is a handle 194. A pair of link arms 196 are pivotallyconnected to handle 194 at a first end to a clamping shaft 198 at theopposite end. The clamping shaft 198 extends through a guide tube 200that is part of the mounting bracket 192. The clamping shaft 198 alsohas a threaded bore 202 that receives a threaded screw 204. Anadjustment nut 206 is threadably received on the threaded screw 204 anda clamp bumper 208 is attached to the end of the screw 204.

In operation, to set the depth collar 66 on the drill bit 36, the depthcollar 66 is placed on the body 44 of the drill bit 36 and is receivedwithin the receiving chamber 64 of the adjustment member 54 when thedrill bit 36 is placed within one of the drill adjustment grooves 34.The adjustment member 54 is then moved laterally within slot 52 to adesired distance marking 71 where the projection 74 of the adjustmentmember 54 is received in a notch 72. When the adjustment member 54 ismoved the depth collar 66 is also moved to the desired distance marking71 and the depth collar 66 is locked in place with a set screw as isknown in the art.

Next, the guide members 166 are positioned at a desired width andheight. To set the desired width, the second guide support 142 is movedlaterally along top rail 156 and bottom rail 158 to either a first or asecond position. In the first position the second guide support 142 iscloser to the first guide support 124 and is generally centered alongthe length of the base 12. In the second position, the second guidesupport 142 is closer to the second side edge 122. Once positioned,screw 164 is tightened within opening 144 or nut 146 to lock the secondguide support 142 in the desired position.

Next, the height of guide members 166 are set in relation to the topedge 112 of the vertical support wall 108. To set the position of theguide member 166, the desired distance marking 191 on the side 174 ofthe guide member 166 is aligned with the top edge 112 of the verticalsupport wall 108. Once aligned, the back 178 of the guide member 166 ispressed against the clamping face 126 of the vertical support wall 108such that the projections 128 of track 130 are received within the backhorizontal slots 188 of the guide member 166. The catch 140 of retainingmember 134 is then inserted through vertical slot 132 of guide supports124 or 142 and the retaining slot 190 of guide member 166 and thenturned to hold the guide member at the desired height. The guide members166 may be set at different heights.

An object to be drilled, such as a piece of wood, is then placed on thetop 18 of base 12 such that the object engages the front 176 of theguide members 166. The handle 194 of the clamp assembly 14 is thenraised which cause clamp shaft 198 to move toward the object until clampbumper 208 engages the object and clamps the object between the guidemembers 166 and the clamp bumper 208.

The drill bit 36, attached to a drill (not shown) is then inserted intodrill bore 180 and by activating the drill a hole is drilled in theobject. As the hole is drilled, shavings fall downward through thebottom opening 187 into exhaust channel 82. The shavings are directedtoward the exhaust ports 90 by the angled bottom wall sections 92.

Alternatively, the guide members 166 are attached to a guide supportbracket 210 that is clamped to a work surface horizontally over anobject to be drilled. The guide support bracket 210 is of any size,shape, structure and type. In a preferred example, as shown, the guidesupport bracket 210 has a top wall 212, a pair of side walls 214, afirst end 216, and a second end 218. The top wall 212 has a top surface220 and a bottom surface 222. Adjacent the second end 218, on the topsurface 220 of the top wall 212, is a clamp receiving section 224. Theclamp receiving section 224 is formed to receive a clamping portion of atable clamp and is generally circular having projections 226 around anouter periphery of section 224 that extend upwardly from the top surface220 of the top wall 212. In one example, a magnet 228 is centrallylocated within section 224 and extends through the top wall 212.

Extending from the clamp receiving section 224 toward the first end 216,and through the first end 216, and through the top wall 212, are a pairof parallel spaced elongated slots 230. The slots 230 receive retainingmembers 134 as previously described. On the bottom surface 222 of thetop wall 212 are two sets of horizontal projections 128 that form a pairof tracks 130 along slots 230 as previously described.

Adjacent the second end 218 on an outer surface of the sidewalls 214 isa groove 232 that extends from the top wall 212 of bracket 210 to abottom edge 234 of side walls 214. On an edge 236 of groove 232 is acut-out 238. Moveably received within groove 232 is a slider 240 that isused to selectively capture the edge of an object such as a board. Inthe example shown, the slide 240 has a main body 242. At a lower end ofmain body 242 is a foot 244 that extends outwardly and downwardly fromthe main body 242. On the opposite side of the main body 242 is a stop246 that extends outwardly from the main body 242 and is received withincut-out 238. The stop 246 prevents the slider 240 from moving out ofgroove 232. In a first or raised position the slider 240 is containedwithin groove 232 such the bottom edge 234 of the sidewalls 214 engagethe object to be drilled. In a second or lowered position the foot 244of the slider 240 capturing the end of the object to be drilled.

In operation, guide members 166 are attached to the bottom surface 222of the top wall between the side walls 214 similarly to how previouslydescribed. The desired distance marking 187 is aligned with first end216, back 178 is pressed against bottom surface 222 such thatprojections 128 of track 130 are received in slots 188, and retainingmembers 134 extend through slots 230 to connect guide members 166 toguide support bracket 210.

Once positioned the object to be drilled is placed on a work surface,the adjustable holding device 10 is placed on top of the object to bedrilled, and table clamp is used to clamp the object between the holdingdevice 10 and the work surface. Once clamped, the drill bits 36 areinserted through drill bores 108 and holes are drilled in the object.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable holding device, comprising: asupport wall that extends vertically from a bottom to a top edge; thesupport wall having an opening and a first guide support; and a secondguide support slidably connected within the opening of the support wall.2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and the second guide supportshave a track, retaining slot, and retaining member.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the second guide support have grooves on a top and abottom of the support member that are formed to receive rails thatextend inwardly from the opening.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein thesecond support member has a threaded opening that receives a screwhaving a head wherein when the screw is tightened within the threadedopening the second guide member is in a locked position.
 5. Anadjustable holding device, comprising: a base having side walls; anexhaust channel that extends transversely across the base; and whereinthe exhaust channel has a bottom wall, a first wall, a second wall, andexhaust ports in the side walls of the base.
 6. The device of claim 5wherein the bottom wall has a pair of sections that are angleddownwardly from an apex to the exhaust ports.
 7. The device of claim 6wherein the apex is centered between the side walls of the base.
 8. Anadjustable holding device, comprising: a base having a top, a bottom,side walls, and end walls; a pair of drill adjustment grooves at outeredges of the top that extend down the sides of the base; and wherein thedrill adjustment grooves have a cut-out portion that slidably receivesan adjustment member.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the cut-outportion extends inwardly and downwardly into the base to form a shelfhaving an elongated slot.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein theadjustment member includes a pair of side walls and a bottom wall thatextend outwardly from a back wall to form a receiving chamber.
 11. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein the side walls of the base have distancemarkings that selectively align with the adjustment member.
 12. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein the drill adjustment grooves are offset. 13.An adjustable holding device, comprising: a guide support bracket havinga top wall, side walls, a first end and a second end; a groove adjacentthe second end that extends from the top wall to a bottom edge of theside walls of the guide support bracket; and a slider moveably receivedwithin the groove.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein on an edge of thegroove is a cut-out.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the slider has astop that extends outwardly from a main body and is selectively receivedwithin the cut-out.
 16. The device of claim 13 wherein the slider has amain body and a foot at an end of the main body that extends outwardlyand downwardly from the main body.
 17. The device of claim 16 whereinthe slider in a first raised position is contained within the groove.